A Comparative Analysis of the Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) in Islamic and Christian Sacred Texts

Abstract

Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) is considered to be a bridge between Islam and Christianity. Both traditions emphasise that he is a ‘rightly-guided’ figure and among the company of ‘the righteous’ such as Abraham and Moses. The story of Yahya is included in two chapters (3 and 19) in the Qur’an. Q. 3: 39 states that “God gives you (Zachariah) news of John, confirming a Word from God. He will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous.” Q. 19: 12-14 also underlines “[We said], ‘John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.’ While he was still a boy, We granted him wisdom, tenderness from Us, and purity. He was devout, kind to his parents, not domineering or rebellious.” Canonical Gospels also provide various aspects of John the Baptist. Muslim commentators have used biblical and other sources in their interpretation of the Qur'an (and sometimes still do). Muslim commentators have elaborated some aspects of his life. While various similarities may be seen in narratives of Islamic sources regarding Prophet Yahya, some differences are present. Francis X. Clooney considers comparative theology as “welcoming wisdom whereever it exists” and “faith seeking understanding” in light of truth seen deeply in other religious tradition. Therefore, this paper aims to provide comparative analysis on the story of Prophet Yahya and reflections on him as an exemplary model which Muslims and Christians can share.

Conference

Conference

Asia-Pacific Conference on Comparative Theology

Country

Australia

City

Melbourne

Period

19/07/17 → 20/07/17

Other

The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at Australian Catholic University is delighted to invite you to attend our upcoming Asia-Pacific Conference on Comparative Theology, Wednesday 19 July and Thursday 20 July 2017. The two-day conference will be held at Australian Catholic University, St Patrick’s campus, Melbourne.

The conference aims to explore new and creative ways of learning from and with other religions in Asia, without forsaking our own cherished beliefs and practices. We will focus on the method(s) and purpose required of such an endeavour in our mobile and pluralistic societies in the Asia-Pacific region.

title = "A Comparative Analysis of the Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) in Islamic and Christian Sacred Texts",

abstract = "Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) is considered to be a bridge between Islam and Christianity. Both traditions emphasise that he is a ‘rightly-guided’ figure and among the company of ‘the righteous’ such as Abraham and Moses. The story of Yahya is included in two chapters (3 and 19) in the Qur’an. Q. 3: 39 states that “God gives you (Zachariah) news of John, confirming a Word from God. He will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous.” Q. 19: 12-14 also underlines “[We said], ‘John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.’ While he was still a boy, We granted him wisdom, tenderness from Us, and purity. He was devout, kind to his parents, not domineering or rebellious.” Canonical Gospels also provide various aspects of John the Baptist. Muslim commentators have used biblical and other sources in their interpretation of the Qur'an (and sometimes still do). Muslim commentators have elaborated some aspects of his life. While various similarities may be seen in narratives of Islamic sources regarding Prophet Yahya, some differences are present. Francis X. Clooney considers comparative theology as “welcoming wisdom whereever it exists” and “faith seeking understanding” in light of truth seen deeply in other religious tradition. Therefore, this paper aims to provide comparative analysis on the story of Prophet Yahya and reflections on him as an exemplary model which Muslims and Christians can share.",

T1 - A Comparative Analysis of the Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) in Islamic and Christian Sacred Texts

AU - Coruh, Hakan

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) is considered to be a bridge between Islam and Christianity. Both traditions emphasise that he is a ‘rightly-guided’ figure and among the company of ‘the righteous’ such as Abraham and Moses. The story of Yahya is included in two chapters (3 and 19) in the Qur’an. Q. 3: 39 states that “God gives you (Zachariah) news of John, confirming a Word from God. He will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous.” Q. 19: 12-14 also underlines “[We said], ‘John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.’ While he was still a boy, We granted him wisdom, tenderness from Us, and purity. He was devout, kind to his parents, not domineering or rebellious.” Canonical Gospels also provide various aspects of John the Baptist. Muslim commentators have used biblical and other sources in their interpretation of the Qur'an (and sometimes still do). Muslim commentators have elaborated some aspects of his life. While various similarities may be seen in narratives of Islamic sources regarding Prophet Yahya, some differences are present. Francis X. Clooney considers comparative theology as “welcoming wisdom whereever it exists” and “faith seeking understanding” in light of truth seen deeply in other religious tradition. Therefore, this paper aims to provide comparative analysis on the story of Prophet Yahya and reflections on him as an exemplary model which Muslims and Christians can share.

AB - Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) is considered to be a bridge between Islam and Christianity. Both traditions emphasise that he is a ‘rightly-guided’ figure and among the company of ‘the righteous’ such as Abraham and Moses. The story of Yahya is included in two chapters (3 and 19) in the Qur’an. Q. 3: 39 states that “God gives you (Zachariah) news of John, confirming a Word from God. He will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous.” Q. 19: 12-14 also underlines “[We said], ‘John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.’ While he was still a boy, We granted him wisdom, tenderness from Us, and purity. He was devout, kind to his parents, not domineering or rebellious.” Canonical Gospels also provide various aspects of John the Baptist. Muslim commentators have used biblical and other sources in their interpretation of the Qur'an (and sometimes still do). Muslim commentators have elaborated some aspects of his life. While various similarities may be seen in narratives of Islamic sources regarding Prophet Yahya, some differences are present. Francis X. Clooney considers comparative theology as “welcoming wisdom whereever it exists” and “faith seeking understanding” in light of truth seen deeply in other religious tradition. Therefore, this paper aims to provide comparative analysis on the story of Prophet Yahya and reflections on him as an exemplary model which Muslims and Christians can share.